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United States Patent |
6,175,423
|
Frickey
|
January 16, 2001
|
Image forming system for arranging plurality of images on a disk play
medium
Abstract
Image forming system for arranging a plurality of images onto a selected
display medium. The image forming system provides capability to determine
an optimized layout pattern for one or more sub-pages on a designated
print medium. This system may be used to provide expanded N-UP printing
capability.
Inventors:
|
Frickey; Steven J. (Meridian, ID)
|
Assignee:
|
Hewlett-Packard Company (Palo Alto, CA)
|
Appl. No.:
|
030636 |
Filed:
|
February 25, 1998 |
Current U.S. Class: |
358/1.2; 358/1.18; 358/1.9 |
Intern'l Class: |
G01S 013/00 |
Field of Search: |
358/1.2,1.18,1.19
364/519,900
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4928252 | May., 1990 | Gabbee et al. | 364/519.
|
5557728 | Sep., 1996 | Garrett et al. | 395/157.
|
5685002 | Nov., 1997 | Sano.
| |
Primary Examiner: Coles; Edward L.
Assistant Examiner: Lamb; Twyler
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wade; Matthew L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for selecting a grid cell pattern to use for N-Up printing a
logical page having a first aspect ratio onto a print medium, the method
comprising;
(a) defining a first grid cell pattern of X1.times.Y1 cells and a second
grid cell pattern of X2.times.Y2 cells;
(b) identifying a test aspect ratio closest in value to the first aspect
ratio from the set of test aspect ratios comprising:
(X1/Y1), (Y1/X1), (X2/Y2) and (Y2/X2);
(c) selecting a grid cell pattern to use for N-Up printing from a group of
grid cell patterns comprised of the grid cell patterns defined in step
(a), based upon the test aspect ratio identified in step (b).
2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) includes selecting the first
grid cell pattern if the test aspect ratio identified in step (b) is
(X1/Y1) or(Y1/X1).
3. The method of claim 2, wherein step (c) further includes selecting the
second grid cell pattern if the test aspect ratio identified in step (b)
is (X2/Y2) or (Y2/X2).
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
(d) determining an optimum sub-page orientation within a cell from the
selected grid cell pattern based upon the test aspect ratio identified in
step (b);
(e) scaling the logical page so as to create a sub-page that fits, when the
sub-page is at the optimum orientation, within a cell from the selected
grid cell pattern.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
(f) N-Up printing the logical page by printing the sub-page, at the optimum
orientation and in accordance with the selected grid cell pattern, N times
onto the print medium.
6. Apparatus for selecting a grid cell pattern to use for N-Up printing a
logical page, having a first aspect ratio, onto a print medium, the
apparatus comprising;
(a) means for defining a first grid cell pattern of X1.times.Y1 cells and a
second grid cell pattern of X2.times.Y2 cells;
(b) means for identifying a test aspect ratio closest in value to the first
aspect ratio from the set of test aspect ratios comprising:
(X1/Y1), (Y1/X1), (X2/Y2) and (Y2/X2);
(c) means for selecting a grid cell pattern to use for N-Up printing from a
group of grid cell patterns comprised of the grid cell patterns defined by
the defining means, based upon the test aspect ratio identified by the
identifying means.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the selecting means operates to select
the first grid cell pattern if the test aspect ratio identified by the
identifying means is (X1/Y1) or (Y1/X1).
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the selecting means further operates
to select the second grid cell pattern if the test aspect ratio identified
by the identifying means is (X2/Y2) or (Y2/X2).
9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:
(d) means for determining an optimum sub-page orientation within a cell
from the selected grid cell pattern based upon the test aspect ratio
identified by the identifying means;
(e) means for scaling the logical page so as to create a sub-page that
fits, when the sub-page is at the optimum orientation, within a cell from
the selected grid pattern.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:
(f) means for N-Up printing the logical page by printing the sub-page, at
the optimum orientation and in accordance with the selected grid cell
pattern, N times onto the print medium.
11. A program storage medium readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a
program of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps
for selecting a grid cell pattern to use for N-Up printing a logical page
having a first aspect ratio onto a print medium, the method steps
comprising;
(a) defining a first grid cell pattern of X1.times.Y1 cells and a second
grid cell pattern of X2.times.Y2 cells;
(b) identifying a test aspect ratio closest in value to the first aspect
ratio from the set of test aspect ratios comprising:
(X1/Y1), (Y1/X1), (X2/Y2) and (Y2/X2);
(c) selecting a grid cell pattern to use for N-Up printing from a group of
grid cell patterns comprised of the grid cell patterns defined in step
(a), based upon the test aspect ratio identified in step (b).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to an image forming system and more
particularly to an image forming system for arranging a plurality of
images onto a selected display medium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the most important aspects of a modern computer is the ability to
create, visually display, store and print documents containing textual or
graphical information. In order to print a document, some sort of printing
device (printer) under the control of the computer is used to generate a
permanent image of the document on a designated print medium.
To print a document that is, for example, stored in the random access
memory (RAM) of the computer several actions must usually take place.
First, since the designated print medium generally has a fixed size, the
printable information contained in the document may need to be divided
into sections suitable to fit onto the print medium, a process which is
called pagination.
Pagination is generally performed by a computer under the direction of one
or more software programs. In addition, pagination is accomplished with
information regarding various dimensional parameters that pertain both to
the document and to the selected print medium. As mentioned previously, as
a result of pagination the document is divided into sections suitable to
fit onto the selected print medium. For purposes of this discussion, these
sections are referred to herein as "logical pages". The phrase "soft
logical page" is used to refer specifically to the logical page as
represented by software.
After the soft logical pages are created they may then be transmitted to
the printer in the form of a print job for printing. In addition to
containing soft logical pages, the print job may also include various
printer control commands. One type of printer control command directs the
printer to perform "N-UP printing". The letter "N" represents the number
of logical pages that are to be scaled (if necessary) and printed onto a
designated print medium. For purposes of this discussion a logical page
that has been scaled for N-UP printing is referred to herein as a
"sub-page".
Prior systems for achieving N-UP printing are limited to a pre-specified
number of sub-pages that may be printed onto any one print medium. For
example, a typical laser printer is limited to 2, 4 and 9-UP printing. In
addition, prior printers do not optimize the orientation or scale factor
of sub-pages on the print medium. This can result in an inefficient use of
the printable area of the print medium.
As a result, there is a need for N-Up printing that is not limited to a
pre-specified number of sub-pages. In addition, there is a need for N-Up
printing wherein the sub-pages are optimally arranged on a print medium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies both these needs. According to the
principles of the present invention, an aspect ratio is first calculated
for one of the logical pages. After obtaining the aspect ratio of the
first logical page, division factors are then calculated. The division
factors are based on the value of N and are used to determine possible
grid cell patterns for the designated print medium. Test aspect ratios are
then calculated for each grid cell pattern. The grid cell patterns are
then compared by determining the test aspect ratio having a value that is
closest to the aspect ratio of the first logical page. This identifies
both the grid cell pattern that is to be used for N-UP printing and an
optimized orientation of sub-pages on the designated print medium.
Other objects, advantages, and capabilities of the present invention will
become more apparent as the description proceeds.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an abstract diagram of a logical page and a physical page
illustrating a logical coordinate system and a physical coordinate system.
FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B is a flow chart depicting the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a drawing illustrating a first grid cell pattern that
corresponds to division factors for 6-UP printing.
FIG. 3B is a drawing illustrating a second grid cell pattern that
corresponds to division factors for 6-UP printing.
FIG. 4A is a drawing depicting a grid cell pattern with a group of
sub-pages oriented normally.
FIG. 4B is a drawing depicting a grid cell pattern with a group of
sub-pages oriented orthogonally.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating apparatus according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention provides the capability for determining
an optimized layout pattern of images onto a selected display medium. The
phrase "display medium" is used in the present description and in the
claims to refer to either to a computer display device or a print medium.
Although the embodiments of the present invention described below are for
use by a printer for achieving improved N-UP printing, it should be
distinctly understood that various alternatives and modifications are
contemplated. For example, someone skilled in the art could also use the
present invention for determining an optimized layout pattern of images
onto a computer display device.
The phrase "logical coordinate system" is used herein to refer to the local
coordinate system of either a logical page or a sub-page. The phrase
"physical coordinate system" is used herein to refer to the local
coordinate system of a print medium. FIG. 1 illustrates both a logical
coordinate system for a logical page 2 and a physical coordinate system
for a print medium 4 according to a coordinate system convention that will
be followed throughout the following discussion. It is noted that this
convention is arbitrary and in no way limits the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 1, logical page 2 is in a portrait orientation with respect
to print medium 4. With reference to this orientation, the logical
coordinate system is defined herein to be located at the lower left hand
corner of the logical page. The X.sub.L -axis of the logical coordinate
system (logical X-axis) is in the horizontal direction and is positive to
the right. The Y.sub.L -axis of the logical coordinate system (logical
Y-axis) is in the vertical direction and is positive in the upward
direction. In addition, the physical coordinate system is located in the
lower left-hand corner of the print medium. Similar to the logical
coordinate system, the X.sub.P -axis of the print medium (physical X-axis)
is in the horizontal direction and is positive to the right. The Y.sub.P
-axis of the print medium (physical Y-axis) is in the vertical direction
and is positive in the upward direction.
For purposes of this discussion, the phrase "grid cell pattern" is used to
refer to a possible layout pattern for sub-pages on a designated print
medium. Each grid cell represents an allocated space on the print medium
for the printing of a single sub-page.
Referring now to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, a flow chart depicts the first
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This first embodiment is
described as being performed by a printer. However, it is noted that this
method could also be adapted for use by other devices such as a host
computer or a print server. The method begins by the detection of a print
job having an N-UP print command by a printer as depicted by box 101.
After detecting the N-UP print command, the logical page information and
the value of N are stored into printer memory as depicted by box 103. The
aspect ratio of the first logical page detected in the print job (first
logical page) is then calculated as depicted by box 105 by using the
following equation:
Log.sub.-- Pg_Ratio=(Log.sub.-- Pg.sub.-- X)/(Log.sub.-- Pg.sub.-- Y)
Where "Log_Pg_Ratio" is the aspect ratio of the first logical page detected
in the print job. "Log_Pg_X" is the length along the logical X-axis of the
first logical page. Similarly, "Log_Pg_Y" is the length along the logical
Y-Axis of the first logical page. The value of the aspect ratio of the
first logical page is then stored as depicted by box 109.
After obtaining the aspect ratio of the first logical page, print medium
division factors (division factors) are then calculated as depicted by box
113. As discussed in more detail below, these division factors are used to
determine possible grid cell patterns for N-UP printing. In this
embodiment, the division factors are determined by calculating a single
pair of integers that are closest to the square root of N and whose
product is greater than or equal to N. A set of equations for
accomplishing this task are:
a=integer value of the square root of N
b_init=integer value of (N/a)
if (N-(a.times.b_init)>0) then b=b_init+1
else b=b_init
Where "a" is referred to herein as the first division factor and "b" is
referred to herein as the second division factor. These two division
factors are referred to collectively herein as "primary division factors".
These factors guarantee that there will be at least "N" number of cells on
a page.
As mentioned previously, the division factors are used to determine grid
cell patterns for the designated print medium. Assuming the sides of the
printable area of the print medium are not equal, two different grid cell
patterns are determined from the primary division factors calculated from
step 113. The first grid cell pattern (first pattern) is determined by
dividing the length of the printable area of the designated print medium
that is parallel to the physical X-axis (printable width) by division
factor "a" and by dividing the length of the printable area that is
parallel to the physical Y-axis (printable length) by "b". The second grid
cell pattern (second pattern) is generated by dividing the printable width
by division factor b and by dividing the printable length by division
factor a. This step is depicted by box 114.
To illustrate this last step, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B depicts a first pattern
42 and a second pattern 44 corresponding to 6-UP printing. First side 50
represents the printable width of print medium 40. Second side 52
represents the printable length of print medium 40. Using the equations
described above, the division factors for 6-UP printing are a=2 and b=3.
First pattern 42 is therefore determined by dividing first side 50 by 2
(i.e., the first division factor, a) and by dividing second side 52 by 3
(i.e., the second division factor, b). Second pattern 44 is determined by
dividing first side 50 by 3 (i.e., the second division factor, b) and by
dividing second side 52 by 2 (i.e., the first division factor, a).
It is noted that the grid cell patterns determined by step 114 results in
grid cells for each grid cell pattern that are dimensionally uniform. For
example, each of the grid cells that comprise first pattern 42 has
dimensions of X1 and Y1. Likewise, each of the grid cells that comprise
second pattern 44 has dimensions of X2 and Y2.
It is also noted that in this embodiment a sub-page may be oriented either
"normally" or "orthogonally" on a print medium. For purposes of this
discussion, a sub-page is oriented "normally" if the logical X-axis is
parallel and in the same direction as the physical X-axis of the
designated print medium. To illustrate, FIG. 4A depicts a grid cell
pattern 51 (corresponding to 6-UP printing) with a group of sub-pages
oriented normally on print medium 57.
A sub-page is oriented "orthogonally" within a grid cell if the logical
X-axis of the sub-page is parallel to the physical Y axis of the
designated print medium. To illustrate, FIG. 4B depicts a grid cell
pattern 53 (also corresponding to 6-UP printing) with a group of sub-pages
oriented orthogonally on print medium 55.
Referring again to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the next step in the present method
is to determine which of the two grid cell patterns (i.e., first pattern
or second pattern) provide an optimized layout pattern of sub-pages onto
the designated print medium. This task is accomplished by calculating
"test aspect ratios" for a characteristic grid cell corresponding to each
of the two grid cell patterns. The "test aspect ratio" of a grid cell is
defined herein with reference to a sub-page printed within the cell. With
a sub-page oriented normally, the test aspect ratio is the length of the
grid cell along the physical X-axis of the print medium divided by the
length of the grid cell along the physical Y-axis. With a sub-page
oriented orthogonally, the test aspect ratio is the length of the grid
cell along the physical Y-axis of the print medium divided by the length
of the grid cell along the physical X-axis.
Because a sub-page may be oriented either normally or orthogonally within a
grid cell, two test aspect ratios are calculated for each grid cell
pattern determined from step 114.
To further illustrate the meaning of test aspect ratios, attention is again
directed to FIG. 4A. The two test aspect ratios for grid cell pattern 51
is equal to X3/Y3 and Y3/X3. In general, the set of equations described in
table 1 can be used to determine all four aspect ratios for the two grid
cell patterns determined from step 114.
TABLE 1
Grid Cell Aspect Ratio equations Comments
Test_Ratio1 = Aspect ratio of a grid cell
(Phys_Pg_W/a)/(Phys_Pg_L/b) corresponding to a first cell pattern.
Sub-page oriented normally.
Test_Ratio2 = Aspect ratio of a grid cell
(Phys_Pg_W/b)/(Phys_Pg_L/a) corresponding to a second cell
pattern. Sub-page oriented
normally.
Test_Ratio3 = Aspect ratio of a grid cell
(Phys_Pg_L/a)/(Phys_Pg_W/b) corresponding to a first cell pattern.
Sub-page oriented orthogonally.
Test_Ratio4 = Aspect ratio of a grid cell
(Phys_Pg_L/b)/(Phys_Pg_W/a) corresponding to a second grid cell
pattern. Sub-page oriented
orthogonally.
Where "Phys_Pg_L" is the printable length of the designated print medium
and "Phys_Pg_W" is the printable width of the designated print medium.
"Test Ratio" is the test aspect ratio of a grid cell. This step is
depicted by box 117.
After all the test aspect ratios are calculated, the two grid cell patterns
determined from step 114 are compared by determining the grid cell pattern
having a test aspect ratio value closest to the aspect ratio of the first
logical page. This particular aspect ratio is referred to herein as the
"optimum test aspect ratio" and the corresponding grid cell pattern is
referred to herein as the "optimum grid cell pattern". This step is
depicted by box 119. To perform this comparison, the following set of
equations can be used:
Diff_Ratio1=abs(Log_Pg_Ratio-Test_Ratio1)
Diff_Ratio2=abs(Log_Pg_Ratio-Test_Ratio2)
Diff_Ratio3=abs(Log_Pg_Ratio-Test_Ratio3)
Diff_Ratio4=abs(Log_Pg_Ratio-Test_Ratio4)
Where "abs" is the absolute value. Thus the optimum test aspect ratio
corresponds to the lowest Diff Ratio value. It can be seen that once the
optimum test aspect ratio is known, the optimum grid cell pattern and
sub-page orientation are also known for performing N-UP printing.
In a further aspect of the present invention, after the optimum grid cell
pattern and orientation of sub-pages are determined, an appropriate scale
factor is then calculated for converting the logical pages into sub pages
appropriately sized for printing onto the designated print medium. If the
sub-pages are to be oriented orthogonally (decision box 121) and if the
optimum test aspect ratio is less than the aspect ratio of the first
logical page (decision box 123) then the following scale factor is used
(as depicted by box 125):
Scale_Factor=(Cell_Y_Dim)/(Log_Pg_X)
Whereas if the optimum test aspect ratio is not less than the aspect ratio
of the first logical page (decision box 123) then the following scale
factor is used (as depicted by box 127):
Scale_Factor=(Cell_X_Dim)/(Log_Pg_Y)
If the sub-pages are to be oriented normally and if the optimum test aspect
ratio is less than the aspect ratio of the first aspect ratio (decision
box 129) then the following scale factor is used (as depicted by box 131):
Scale_Factor=(Cell_X_Dim)/(Log_Pg_X)
If the sub-pages are to be oriented normally (decision box 121) and if the
test aspect ratio is not less than the logical page aspect ratio (decision
box 129) then the following scale factor is used (as depicted by box 133):
Scale_Factor=(Cell_Y_Dim)/(Log_Pg_Y)
Where "Cell_Y_Dim" is the length of the grid cell along the physical Y-axis
of the designated print medium and "Cell_X_Dim" is the length of the grid
cell along the physical X-axis of the designated print medium.
After the Scale factor is determined, the optimum grid cell pattern and
scale factor is stored in printer memory for later use to perform N-UP
printing as depicted by box 135. It is noted that in this embodiment the
scale factor determined above is used to scale subsequent logical pages
that are substantially the same dimension as the first logical page. If
other logical pages within the print job are not substantially the same
dimension as the first logical page, these pages are scaled appropriately
to fit within a corresponding grid cell.
In a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, additional
division factors are determined resulting in additional grid cell patterns
that are to be compared. This is accomplished by determining all whole
factors whose product equals the value of N. For example if N=6 the
division factors would include a=1 and b=6 in addition to the division
factors a=2 and b=3. These additional pairs of division factors are
referred to collectively herein as "supplementary division factors".
Because the supplementary division factors may produce a grid cell pattern
having a test aspect ratio that is closer to the aspect ratio of the first
logical page, this second embodiment may result in a sub-page layout
pattern that is superior to the layout pattern determined using the method
depicted in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B.
FIG. 5 is a high level block diagram of a page printer 10 incorporating yet
another embodiment of the present invention in the form of apparatus. Page
printer 10 is controlled by a microprocessor 15 which communicates with
other elements of the system via bus 20. A print engine controller 30 and
associated print engine 35 connect to bus 20 and provide the print output
capability for page printer 10.
An input/output (I/O) port 40 provides communication between the page
printer 10 and a host computer 45. A dynamic random access memory (DRAM)
50 provides a main memory for page printer 10 for storing and processing a
print job received from host 45. A read only memory (ROM) 55 holds
firmware which controls the operation of microprocessor 15, printer 10.
Importantly, code procedures stored in ROM 55 include a N-UP printing
procedure according to the principles described in the first embodiment of
the present invention described above.
One benefit of the present invention is improved N-UP printing capability.
As mentioned previously, prior methods and apparatus for achieving N-UP
printing are limited to a pre-specified number of N values. For example, a
typical printer is limited to 2, 4 and 9-UP printing. In addition, prior
methods do not determine the optimum layout of sub-pages onto a print
medium. The methods and apparatus described above provides N-UP printing
that is not limited to a pre-specified number of N values and allows for
an optimized arrangement of sub-pages onto a designated print medium.
It should be understood that the forgoing description and examples used
herein are only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing
from the invention. The present invention is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of
the appended claims.
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